Butler High School (BHS) will be transformed into an enchanted under-the-sea world next weekend, as "The Little Mermaid, Jr." splashes onto the high school stage.

(From left to right) Sarah Endres, Ashley Victor, Brianna Ziegler, and Emma Nafz rehearse for Butler High School’s (BHS) upcoming musical production of "The Little Mermaid, Jr.", which is sure to make a splash with audiences on April 4, 5, and 6.Ariel’s mersisters star in a scene from "The Little Mermaid, Jr." Pictured (L-R) are Kelly Sondermeyer, Jenny Bogert, Lauren Bisanti, Rebecca Horner, Brielle Rozmus, and Veronica Jakubowski.BHS’ production of "The Little Mermaid, Jr." has a cast of about 40, with student talent ranging from middle-school performers to high-school cast members. The cast and crew invite audiences to become "part of their world" next week as an enchanted under-the-sea environment takes over the auditorium.

BHS’ spring musical production of Disney’s "The Little Mermaid, Jr." is set April 4, 5, and 6, with a special ocean presentation that will take place at the BHS Community Fair before the Sunday, April 6 matinee show.

"The Little Mermaid, Jr." is adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production of "The Little Mermaid," a stage musical based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her beautiful voice to find love.

Ariel longs to leave her ocean home – and her fins – behind and live in the world above. But first she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

The musical’s underwater setting and story about aquatic characters requires unusual technical designs and strategies to create gliding movements for the actors. Audiences can look forward to the musical numbers "Part of Your World," "Under the Sea," "Poor Unfortunate Souls," and "Kiss the Girl."

Director Sylvia C. Abdelsalam said that this year’s production "is going to wow the community with its talented students, costumes, set, and overall atmosphere of the ocean blue." She said the show was chosen due to the community’s past response to Disney productions at the high school.

"We sold out during the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ show and I wanted the cast to experience this type of excitement with a community fair and a Disney production," said Abdelsalam, a BHS English teacher who has been directing the high school’s theatrical productions for years. "The costumes are unbelievable and are being made for us each day. The costume shop sends us pictures of these magnificent costumes which include fish, merfolk, sea creatures, lagoon animals, sea gulls, sailors, and more. The audience will be astounded when they see all of these handmade costumes together on the stage."

Abdelsalam said that a New Hampshire costumer custom made the mermaids’ costumes.

Set designer and technical director, David Tadros, a shop teacher, "has been working vigorously with the BHS students to design and maneuver a set on a stage which has no wings or storage facility," said Abdelsalam, adding that Tadros has built a ship and a small boat for the show.

Choreography by Diana Ferrito has made the students come alive, she said. "There is so much dancing and heely practice. That’s right, the cast is on heelys – sneakers on wheels – just like Broadway and it has taken quite some time for them to get used to flying in and out into brick walls."

Abdelsalam explained that the BHS auditorium stage has no wings – only brick walls.

"Our school’s stage is one of the oldest and most difficult spaces to work with. If people actually saw what we had to do for entrances and exits, they would be amazed."

Rich Lovallo, vocal director, also joins the BHS production team again. "The harmonies and vocal talents are really coming through. He is enjoying directing both the high schoolers and middle schoolers together," said Abdelsalam.

The cast of nearly 40 ranges from sixth-grade students to high-school seniors.

"We are always building our performing arts programs, and have extended auditions to the middle schoolers. They have been a pleasure to work with this year," said Abdelsalam.

Returning as assistant to the director is Stephanie DeSensi, who is planning to pursue a career in the arts.

Two sisters, Chloe Bogert, a senior, and Jenny Bogert, a junior, will also share the leading role of Ariel, with Chloe starring at the Thursday, April 3 special senior citizen night and on Saturday night, and Jenny in the Friday night and Sunday afternoon performances.

"They both have great voices, and are really great actresses, so we, as directors, decided to give both of them a chance," Abdelsalam said.

"The gulls and Scuttle are absolutely adorable. And our little starfish who cartwheels across the stage is precious," she added. "Hopefully Ursula’s voice will not scare the little ones."

Also starring in the musical are Chris Leet as Prince Eric, Kaitlyn Allison as Ursula, Emma Gilardi as Sebastian, Jessica Reul as Flounder, Enrique Ortega as King Triton, Sarah Endres as Scuttle, Jackson Burfitt as Grimsby, Samantha Allison as Flotsam, Rachel Parisi as Jetsam, Samuel Sanchez as Pilot, Matt Heese as Chef Louis, and Marissa Gvoth as Carlotta.

On Feb. 26, the BHS cast had an opportunity to tour Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Pt. Pleasant Beach, and received an educational program on ocean conservation.

The students learned about ocean pollution, endangered species, and ways to protect the planet’s seas and environment.

During the BHS Community Fair, which will be held on Sunday, April 6, just before the 2 p.m. matinee performance of "The Little Mermaid, Jr.", the cast will team with the aquarium to present a comprehensive program on ocean conservation. Jenkinson’s will be bringing a touch tank with horseshoe crabs, and have a special display in the lobby.

The community fair runs from 12 to 1:45 p.m. Children will be able to meet and greet the cast, partake in face painting and a coloring contest, learn about the ocean, and buy special gifts and treats.

Students in the show and Abdelsalam’s classes have also made posters on topics ranging from ocean conservation to saving sea animals.

"The Performing Arts Association is making the lobby and auditorium into an under-the-sea adventure," said Abdelsalam. "The parents are working diligently into the night to make this a true under-the-sea experience."

A special senior citizens performance of "The Little Mermaid, Jr." will be held on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. at BHS. The Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 performances will be held at 7 p.m., with the Sunday, April 6 show at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for students and senior citizens and can be bought at the door, or by calling 973-492-2000, ext. 200.

(From left to right) Sarah Endres, Ashley Victor, Brianna Ziegler, and Emma Nafz rehearse for Butler High School’s (BHS) upcoming musical production of "The Little Mermaid, Jr.", which is sure to make a splash with audiences on April 4, 5, and 6.Ariel’s mersisters star in a scene from "The Little Mermaid, Jr." Pictured (L-R) are Kelly Sondermeyer, Jenny Bogert, Lauren Bisanti, Rebecca Horner, Brielle Rozmus, and Veronica Jakubowski.BHS’ production of "The Little Mermaid, Jr." has a cast of about 40, with student talent ranging from middle-school performers to high-school cast members. The cast and crew invite audiences to become "part of their world" next week as an enchanted under-the-sea environment takes over the auditorium.

Butler High School (BHS) will be transformed into an enchanted under-the-sea world next weekend, as "The Little Mermaid, Jr." splashes onto the high school stage.

BHS’ spring musical production of Disney’s "The Little Mermaid, Jr." is set April 4, 5, and 6, with a special ocean presentation that will take place at the BHS Community Fair before the Sunday, April 6 matinee show.

"The Little Mermaid, Jr." is adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production of "The Little Mermaid," a stage musical based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her beautiful voice to find love.

Ariel longs to leave her ocean home – and her fins – behind and live in the world above. But first she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

The musical’s underwater setting and story about aquatic characters requires unusual technical designs and strategies to create gliding movements for the actors. Audiences can look forward to the musical numbers "Part of Your World," "Under the Sea," "Poor Unfortunate Souls," and "Kiss the Girl."

Director Sylvia C. Abdelsalam said that this year’s production "is going to wow the community with its talented students, costumes, set, and overall atmosphere of the ocean blue." She said the show was chosen due to the community’s past response to Disney productions at the high school.

"We sold out during the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ show and I wanted the cast to experience this type of excitement with a community fair and a Disney production," said Abdelsalam, a BHS English teacher who has been directing the high school’s theatrical productions for years. "The costumes are unbelievable and are being made for us each day. The costume shop sends us pictures of these magnificent costumes which include fish, merfolk, sea creatures, lagoon animals, sea gulls, sailors, and more. The audience will be astounded when they see all of these handmade costumes together on the stage."

Abdelsalam said that a New Hampshire costumer custom made the mermaids’ costumes.

Set designer and technical director, David Tadros, a shop teacher, "has been working vigorously with the BHS students to design and maneuver a set on a stage which has no wings or storage facility," said Abdelsalam, adding that Tadros has built a ship and a small boat for the show.

Choreography by Diana Ferrito has made the students come alive, she said. "There is so much dancing and heely practice. That’s right, the cast is on heelys – sneakers on wheels – just like Broadway and it has taken quite some time for them to get used to flying in and out into brick walls."

Abdelsalam explained that the BHS auditorium stage has no wings – only brick walls.

"Our school’s stage is one of the oldest and most difficult spaces to work with. If people actually saw what we had to do for entrances and exits, they would be amazed."

Rich Lovallo, vocal director, also joins the BHS production team again. "The harmonies and vocal talents are really coming through. He is enjoying directing both the high schoolers and middle schoolers together," said Abdelsalam.

The cast of nearly 40 ranges from sixth-grade students to high-school seniors.

"We are always building our performing arts programs, and have extended auditions to the middle schoolers. They have been a pleasure to work with this year," said Abdelsalam.

Returning as assistant to the director is Stephanie DeSensi, who is planning to pursue a career in the arts.

Two sisters, Chloe Bogert, a senior, and Jenny Bogert, a junior, will also share the leading role of Ariel, with Chloe starring at the Thursday, April 3 special senior citizen night and on Saturday night, and Jenny in the Friday night and Sunday afternoon performances.

"They both have great voices, and are really great actresses, so we, as directors, decided to give both of them a chance," Abdelsalam said.

"The gulls and Scuttle are absolutely adorable. And our little starfish who cartwheels across the stage is precious," she added. "Hopefully Ursula’s voice will not scare the little ones."

Also starring in the musical are Chris Leet as Prince Eric, Kaitlyn Allison as Ursula, Emma Gilardi as Sebastian, Jessica Reul as Flounder, Enrique Ortega as King Triton, Sarah Endres as Scuttle, Jackson Burfitt as Grimsby, Samantha Allison as Flotsam, Rachel Parisi as Jetsam, Samuel Sanchez as Pilot, Matt Heese as Chef Louis, and Marissa Gvoth as Carlotta.